Having done this for over 40 years I choose not to waste time on a mind that cannot or will not be willing to consider any other train of thought. All I would ask you is this. We as Americans represent approx 5% of the worlds population and take over 80% of the worlds prescription drugs. If Big Pharma were the answer we should rank number one in overall world health and yet we rank around 37th. Despite having more hospitals, nurses, MRI machines etc than the rest of the world.

Having done this for over 40 years I choose not to waste time on a mind that cannot or will not be willing to consider any other train of thought. All I would ask you is this. We as Americans represent approx 5% of the worlds population and take over 80% of the worlds prescription drugs. If Big Pharma were the answer we should rank number one in overall world health and yet we rank around 37th. Despite having more hospitals, nurses, MRI machines etc than the rest of the world.

Question: So hows that workin for ya?

I discount cholesterol drugs and fancy high blood pressure pills from the 80%. The original old-fashioned BP pill still works amazingly well, it's just doesn't buy lunch for the doctor with pharma dollars.

Does it matter? I'm pretty sure the fish farmers aren't putting mercury in the water.

My company relocated our Delray, FL division to KS. My equal that moved here was told he could fish all he wanted in the Atlantic waters, but limit eating the fish to once or twice per week because of the mercury.

Having done this for over 40 years I choose not to waste time on a mind that cannot or will not be willing to consider any other train of thought. All I would ask you is this. We as Americans represent approx 5% of the worlds population and take over 80% of the worlds prescription drugs. If Big Pharma were the answer we should rank number one in overall world health and yet we rank around 37th. Despite having more hospitals, nurses, MRI machines etc than the rest of the world.

Question: So hows that workin for ya?

A. People such as yourself get so enamored with "thinking outside the box" that you are unable to consider the side of the debate that is backed with an enormous amount of research. Thus, people with your frame of mind are not worth arguing with.

B. We rank 37th by what measure? I've seen a similar statistic in terms of mistakes in medical practice (which has many different reasons, but seems to be popular in the debate against the competence of our doctors), but if you have a measure that accurately quantifies life expectancy and quality of life as a result of healthcare, I'd like to see it.

I discount cholesterol drugs and fancy high blood pressure pills from the 80%. The original old-fashioned BP pill still works amazingly well, it's just doesn't buy lunch for the doctor with pharma dollars.

That I can agree with. Those weasels continue to snake into our offices, and we continue accept the perks they push. I don't like it, but it's the way it is. Trust me, the profession is not perfect.

I think you may have missed the point. People used to be much, much, much more exposed to the chemicals you're so hysterical about, but there wasn't mass amounts of alzheimers and autism.

I didn't miss the point I am saying that's what we have it all now and the questions is why?

Look, I know I don't have all the answers its just there is so much empirical evidence to ignore. So it behooves each of us to research it for ourselves and then make an educated decision, not just take the word of people who have something to gain from our lack of information. As I said I have been in this for over 40 years and got out of a wheelchair at 21 when they said I never would. Then they told me I wouldn't live to be 30. I am now 62 and for the most part healthy except for a bad set of wheels and a bad neck the result of severe spinal cord injury in the Marine Corps.

I didn't listen to the "take this drug crowd" and when I go to the VA they ask me how are you still alive and functioning and I tell them and they are so narrow minded they are stuck in their stuff they say that can't be it. They did the same thing with my mother. They told her she'd die in 1971 and she is still alive today and when I asked her endocrinologist if she'll go in the books as the longest living patient with her disease he says nope. I ask why, he says cause of the alternative healthcare lifestyle. They are every bit as narrow minded and dishonest as any group I have ever dealt with.

Having done this for over 40 years I choose not to waste time on a mind that cannot or will not be willing to consider any other train of thought. All I would ask you is this. We as Americans represent approx 5% of the worlds population and take over 80% of the worlds prescription drugs. If Big Pharma were the answer we should rank number one in overall world health and yet we rank around 37th. Despite having more hospitals, nurses, MRI machines etc than the rest of the world.

Question: So hows that workin for ya?

I'm not opposed to other trains of thought at all. I'm just completely unconvinced by your information.

I don't believe for a second that Big Pharm is the answer. I'm actually not a fan of the commercial pharmaceutical industry. I just don't think they're intentionally causing harm with some grand conspiracy. They screw up plenty, and have caused their share of fatalities. But the scare tactics you're using to portray them are not accurate.

Our overall health ranking is due to many factors that have little to do with Big Pharm or vaccines. A great majority of our health problems are self inflicted, due to people's choice of poor hygiene, poor eating habits, and lack of exercise. You're trying to make the case that our heath system is the cause of our poor health. But that's just not true. The problem is that people choose to damage their own health, and then cannot or will not change their bad habits. Or for many, they cannot afford it. But for those who choose to live healthy and can afford health care, they have access to the best in the world. We have more hospitals, nurses, and MRI machines for sure. But those are not readily accessible to anyone and everyone that needs it. And that simple fact is infinitely more responsible for our overall poor health than any of the unsubstantiated stuff you've been talking about.